Iconic Itineraries: Argentina Extras

Secrets and the best tips for enjoying Argentina's Wine Country

O. Fournier's Urban line sells for about $10 a bottle in the

States–we loved the malbec, tempranilo, and torrontés.

The Challenge:

The secret's out: Argentina produces some of the best—and best value—wines in the world. Its deep-purple, fruity malbecs and floral, aromatic torrontés have won over critics and everyday oenophiles alike. What's still under-appreciated is the beauty of the country's two largest grape-growing regions. In both Mendoza—the wine country grande dame, due west of Buenos Aires—and up-and-coming Salta, to the northwest, vineyards back up against the Andes, snow-capped even in summer, and are surrounded by a sere desert landscape. The combination of grapevine, mountain, and cactus makes for unmatched vistas. But Argentina's wine lands weren't developed with travelers in mind, and this is a blessing and a curse. The wineries are blissfully noncommercial—few tours end with a hard sell—but most require reservations, and they're scattered over a vast terrain. Then there is the trickiest dilemma: how to choose where to taste when the few names you've seen in your local bottle shop are likely the biggest Argentinian wineries but almost certainly not the finest.

The Solution:

You could fly into Mendoza, rent a car, and strike out for the nearest winery. But we tried that, and it led to missed appointments and hours lost on unmarked roads. This time, we called expert planner Vanessa Guibert Heitner, of Limitless Argentina. Heitner lives in her native Buenos Aires with a BlackBerry full of the country's top-notch guides, winemakers, and sommeliers. We assembled an itinerary for vino novices and aficionados alike, showcasing producers large and small, old and new, foreign-owned and local, all with one thing in common: damn fine wine. Argentinian wines are robust and bold, highlighted with fruit flavors. They pair perfectly with the country's beefy cuisine and the Italian fare loved by second- and third-generation immigrants. Every winery tour we recommend is private, chauffeured, and includes a tasting. You can enjoy these regions at any time, but Heitner particularly loves early March through late April, after the crowded Grape Harvest Festival but before the colors fade, and October through early December for the vernal bloom.

How to Book:

Contact Vanessa Guibert Heitner of Limitless Argentina (202-536-5812; vanessa@limitlessargentina.com). You can buy this trip as is or customize it. But first, visit our Top Travel Specialist Collection for crucial advice on how to get the most out of working with a travel specialist**.** The cost of the seven-day tour described here is roughly $3,991 per person, double occupancy. This includes all hotels, airport transfers, breakfasts, guides and drivers, winery visits and lunches, activities at Colomé (except the premium wine tasting), and Heitner's planning fee. The price does not include round-trip airfare, the domestic flight, tips, or traveler's insurance.